Patients could be facing “grave risks” as alarming statistics have revealed one in seven consultants aren’t fully trained.

The 2015 figures released by the Medical Council showed 650 of the 4,373 service doctors in Ireland aren’t on the specialist register and are not fully-trained in sectors including radiology, surgery and emergency medicine.

The number has been increasing in recent years with hospitals reporting they’re struggling to recruit and keep fully-qualified doctors.